Ellen Farmer Beach

Ellen Farmer Beach, 58, of C. E. Berry Rd., Morganton, NC, the Chesterfield Community, died Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care in Valdese following an extended illness. She was born July 31, 1947 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of Marie Griffin Biggs of Drexel, and the late Clyde Harrison Farmer. Ellen was a published "poet" and a singer. She was a member of the Community Baptist Church of Drexel. Ellen was loved by and inspired all that she met.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband,, Edward Beach of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Steve Huffman of Valdese; a grandson, Ryan Huffman of Valdese; step-sons, Eric Wade Beach of Sherrills Ford, NC, and Edward Allen Beach and wife, Christie of Saw Mills, NC; 4 step grandchildren; brothers, Neil Pitts, Sr., and wife, Elaine of Drexel, Kenneth Canipe and wife, Reba of Valdese; sisters, Rita Nichols and husband, Buck of Drexel, and Carolyn Clark of Drexel; a step-sister, Edna Cook and husband, Allen of San Antonio, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and several aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 27, 2006 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. David Orders officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Marie Biggs on Seitz Rd. in Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Baptist Church of Drexel, PO Box 1867, Drexel, NC 28619, or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690, or to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway #370, Dallas, TX 75240.